The sun still shone brightly in the sky, and the leaves rustled in the forest, painting the scene in lush green.
As the Sand Ninja bodies fell to the ground, the dust they had kicked up began to settle.
Before long, everything on the battlefield had come to an end.
A gentle breeze swept through the forest, stirring Sosuke's tousled hair. The faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth left Nawaki staring blankly.
So... Big Brother Sosuke really was strong... So strong...
"Are you still scared, Nawaki?"
Sosuke had killed the Sand Ninja with effortless ease. He turned around, a warm smile on his face, and asked Nawaki gently.
At his words, Nawaki shook his little head, then lowered it and began to sob softly.
His quiet sobs soon became uncontrollable, and big tears streamed down his little face.
"Plip..."
As Nawaki grieved over the Konoha Ninja who had died protecting him, a warm hand gently rested on his soft brown hair and gave it a tender rub.
"Are you sad... Nawaki?"
"This is war... A war that brings misfortune to people."
"Their sacrifice was only the result of this world's mistakes... It wasn't your fault... You don't need to grieve."
"If you truly want to do something... then grow stronger... Strong enough to change this sorrowful world..."
Sosuke looked down at Nawaki. The smile slowly faded from his face as he spoke in a quiet, gentle voice.
It was as if he were speaking to Nawaki, and yet also talking to himself.
At his words, Nawaki raised his pale little face and looked up at Sosuke with tearful eyes. Then he gave a small nod.
At that moment... he seemed to understand the heavy burden a hero had to bear...
To become a hero...
First, he had